Our editor examined a brand new backcountry-focused search engine that is at present in beta. It is an fascinating thought, however typically a irritating product in observe.
(Picture: Eric Raptosh Pictures by way of Getty Pictures; Emma Veidt)
Up to date October 4, 2025 09:46AM
I wouldn’t name myself an AI zealot. I’ve by no means used it to get restaurant suggestions, generate a meal plan, or write an e mail for me. Earlier than you name me a luddite; I’ll say I do see situational worth in it. I’ve definitely benefited from AI-based transcription companies at work and have been delighted to see their accuracy and pace. Past that, I simply haven’t felt the necessity to incorporate AI in my private life.
That being stated, I lately discovered about Backcountry Mind, a brand new AI-powered search engine at present in beta that works with satellite tv for pc messaging gadgets. Hikers can ship a query to a specifically generated cellphone quantity, and Backcountry Mind will reply in actual time with responses lower than 160 characters. That piqued my curiosity. There have been instances within the backcountry when I’ve been caught with out cellphone service and actually may have benefited from a Google-like supply. I can do all of the analysis I need forward of the journey, however plans and situations change with out a lot discover. This search engine goals to handle a necessity that many backpackers face, and if it really works, it may make issues safer outside.
So, I examined it out. Backcountry Mind’s web site doesn’t at present tackle the bounds of the instrument, which makes it difficult to know precisely when and tips on how to use it. Though it caters to those that put themselves into survival situations, it’s essential to notice that the creator instructed on Reddit that he made it to stop asking his girlfriend for soccer updates from the backcountry. It is likely to be designed for extra non-urgent questions.
Preliminary Take a look at
Following the preliminary directions, I entered my e mail and obtained a cellphone quantity to textual content from my Garmin inReach Mini 2. (It could possibly hook up with an inReach, SPOT, or every other satellite tv for pc gadget.) I began with a query I already knew the reply to.
That was spectacular. And if I had been a flatlander who didn’t know what to do, that recommendation would truly assist. So, I attempted testing the waters with one other critical survival state of affairs {that a} backpacker may face.
I suppose stress-free would maintain my coronary heart charge low and stop the state of affairs from catapulting into disaster after a snakebite, however I don’t suppose that is the assistance I’d be on the lookout for. In some methods, Backcountry Mind was predictably irritating: It appeared like it could reply probably the most rapid immediate as an alternative of assessing the broader context from the earlier message or two. It appears to work greatest for those who deal with it like Google with unbiased one-off questions.
To be honest, Backcountry Mind markets itself as a search engine, not a digital assistant or bot. I do know I’m asking plenty of it to synthesize inside 160 characters. However on the very least, I would like it to be correct.
Like Water for Through-Hikers
Backcountry Mind’s creators name out thru-hikers as potential customers, suggesting that they’ll rapidly discover native info from distant lengthy path sections, so I made a decision to check out one widespread use case. There’s a few 30-mile stretch (between northbound miles 1375 and 1404) alongside the Pacific Crest Path in Northern California the place there are only a few dependable pure water sources. If I had been a thirsty thru-hiker operating out of water, I’d in all probability ask the search engine to assist me out.
Once I checked the instructed mile marker towards the Pacific Crest Path Affiliation’s official map, nonetheless, I couldn’t see any signal of the promised creek; there’s a Trough Creek that crosses the PCT, however based on the PCTA’s information, it sits at mile marker 1482.9, about 91 path miles away, and on the opposite facet of a number of different dependable water sources. Frustratingly, the Backcountry Mind response prompted me to examine present water reviews—the entire motive I used to be utilizing the search engine within the first place.
Flash Floods Close to Me?
Subsequent, I attempted to get particular with coordinates, considering that might forestall any miscommunication. My boss, Backpacker’s Editor-in-Chief Adam Roy, simply spent the weekend backpacking via Utah and witnessed an arroyo flood from shut up. With that in thoughts, he gave me the coordinates of Halls Creek Narrows in Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, and I checked Backcountry Mind to see if it could have been a useful instrument throughout his journey.
This time, Backcountry Mind mistook the coordinates I entered for the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which sits throughout the state line in Arizona, roughly 116 miles away because the crow flies. If I had been really able the place I used to be apprehensive about flash floods and obtained these responses, I’d in all probability cry.
So, I attempted to be just a little extra specific. I requested the identical questions however specified Capitol Reef Nationwide Park. After realizing I had a typo in my first query, I fastened it and requested once more. Curiously, I obtained a very completely different reply the second time. Clearly, there are various kinks that the creators of Backcountry Mind have to work out in beta testing.
On the time I requested Backcountry Mind, the Nationwide Climate Service rated the prospect of flash flooding in Capitol Reef as “Doable, “the following stage up from “Not Anticipated”. Which means some slot canyons, dry washes, and small streams may have skilled a flood, so the forecast I obtained was not correct.
Pizza Store Hours
On its web site, Backcountry Mind suggests asking for working hours for gear retailers near supplied coordinates. Taking part in alongside, I requested it some questions akin to that.
Once I hiked Half Dome in Yosemite a few years in the past, my associate and I couldn’t cease speaking about pizza on our hike out. I knew there was a pizza restaurant in Curry Village, which was strolling distance from our trailhead. However, the solar was setting and we didn’t have cellphone service to examine when the restaurant closed, so we did what any regular (feral from starvation) hikers would do: run. We barreled down the remainder of the Mist Path and arrived on the restaurant with … hours to spare. Having Backcountry Mind available would have truly helped on this state of affairs.
A fast Google search confirmed that the Pizza Deck truly closes at 10 p.m. today, however shut sufficient, I suppose.
Within the backcountry, I’d attain for this search engine for extra frivolous questions that I used to be interested in in actual time. No less than in beta type, although, I wouldn’t say Backcountry Mind is a lifeline I’d rely upon when my security was at stake (I’ll word in equity that the positioning does provide a disclaimer reminding customers that it “is an informational service and shouldn’t be your sole supply of safety-critical info in emergency conditions.” Within the backcountry, although, every part from a climate report to fireside restrictions, each of which the positioning suggests as pattern queries, may be safety-critical.) Theoretically, it is a nice thought, and I’m hoping that future variations will provide the form of enhancements essential to make it helpful for backpackers. However within the meantime, we at all times have our SOS buttons.
